Ioannina - Distinctly Ottoman (Epirus, Greece)

Built on the bank of Lake Pamvotis at an altitude of 500 metres Ioannina is the biggest city of Epirus and the capital city of the prefecture. It is an enchanting city with monuments, cobblestone streets, alleys and traditional market stores that evoke a distinct Ottoman flavour, reminiscent of the rule of Ali Pasha.

Ioannina reflects the confluence of Oriental designs and Neo-Classical architecture. You can turn a corner and find yourself transferred from a typical 20th century commercial centre to a Middle Eastern bazaar. It is here that even today Oriental and Greek cultures are still interlinked. Visitor’s attractions include:

The Castle of Ioannina,

Pamvotis Lake & The Island Of Ioannina,

Perama Cave,

Archaeological Museum of Ioannina.

Twelve kilometres away from Ioannina in the region Mpizani are the wonderful Wax Effigies of Pavlos Vrellis which recreate the defining events of Greek History complete with characters, props and most important the near life like facial expressions. If you have time the Pavlos Vrellis Museum of Wax Effigies would make a rewarding visit.

But like all other Epirus destinations the real charm lies in the natural surroundings and the opportunities that lie within easy reach - Vikos Gorge & the picturesque villages of Zagoria; Metsovo a traditional charming mountain village; & Dodoni the archaeological site of the oldest Hellenic Oracle

HOW TO REACH
Bus: Ioannina is connected by bus to Athens (7 hrs), Thessaloniki (6 hrs), Igoumenitsa (1.5 hrs, ferry boat connection to Italy and Corfu) and other important cities. The two bus stations are located downtown.

Ferry: A hydroplane connection between the island of Corfu and Ioannina has recently started. The hydroplane takes off from the port of Corfu and lands onto the lake of Ioannina.

Flight: The Ioannina National Airport - King Pirrhus is located 4km from the city centre (contact details +30 26510 83600) and has domestic flight links with Athens, Thessaloniki. There is also an international flight per week to Tirana (Albania).

The Best of Epirus Region, Greece (Vikos Gorge & Zagoria, Metsovo, Ioannina, Dodoni, Nekromanteion

Epirus has the strongest regional identity in mainland Greece, bordering the peripheries of West Macedonia and Thessaly to the east, Central Greece to the south, the Ionian Sea and the Ionian Islands to the west and Albania to the north.

It owes its character to an unrelenting mountainous terrain (Pindus Range), forested gorges & wild rivers. These natural fortifications have been successful in protecting and isolating the region from outside interventions, even to a great extent from the Ottoman Rule. Their roles in ancient Greek affairs were relatively insignificant with only four archaeological sites of any importance, out of which two are isolated Oracles. But the regions attraction lies in its sheer physical beauty with limestone peaks and dense forests which provides an enchanting background to traditional stone built villages and arched packhorse bridges. Areas of interest in this region of Greece would include

Nature Trails

• Vikos Gorge & Zagoria - The deepest gorge in the world by the Guinness Book of Records, it offers a landscape of awesome beauty, as the walls of the canyon reach at some points the height of 1 kilometre and the crystal clear waters of Voidomatis River run through it in a spectacular route.
• Up on the mountains of Pindus some 45 picturesque villages called Zagoria or Zagorohoria offer unforgettable images to the visitor: traditional architecture and a unique folkloric character, countless centuries-old bridges and water fountains, cobble-stone meandering streets and passages, stone-built churches and tiny chapels and Mount Tymfi with its highest peak Gamila & Smolikas for the serious and seasoned trekkers.
  
• Metsovo (County of Ioannina) - an easily accessible charming village and should be visited if you want to savour the taste of Greek mountain life

Archaeological & Historic Interests

• Archaeological site of Dodoni Oracle - The oldest Hellenic oracle, dedicated to Zeus and the Mother Goddess. The site also includes an amphitheatre dating to the 3rd century BC.
  Lakeside town of Ioannina - It is the historical, cultural and commercial hub of the Epirus region. It was the capital of the tyrant Ali Pasha. The old town is strewn by the remains of the Ottoman quarters (the mosque, old fortifications) Ottoman-flavored bazaar and inexpensive eateries rimming the lake.

Ancient Nekromanteion, Oracle of the Dead (County of Preveza) - Located on a cliff near the shores of the lake Acherousia, at the junction of the rivers Kokytos and Acheron. According to the ancient Greek mythology, the Acheron river (‘river of woe’) was a branch of the underworld river Styx over which Charon ferried the newly dead souls across into Hades. So it is here, at the Nekromanteion, that the ancients believed were the Gates to the Dead. (Spooky)